As we grieve the recent loss of life of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, as well as our own family, friends and colleagues to suicide, we naturally ask, “What can be done to prevent the loss of another life?” How do we as a community connect and help each other to realize the unique value we each hold?

There has been a 30 percent increase nationwide in deaths by suicide since 1999, according to a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only about half of the individuals who died by suicide had a documented mental illness. These two facts deliver a very important message: We as a community must work to destigmatize mental illness and encourage everyone to seek the help they need without fear of judgment.

One in 4 people have a diagnosable mental illness according to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and only 1 out of 5 of those people seek help and treatment. For Midland County, this means more than 41,000 people need to seek treatment, but only about 8,250 will. Therefore, approximately 33,000 people in our community who will continue to suffer in silence.

Please, don’t let your family member, friend or colleague be one of those 33,000, but most importantly, don’t be one of the 33,000 yourself. Midland is fortunate to have resources for mental health and substance-abuse issues. Please, be brave and seek help. Recovery is real. Recovery happens, and it can happen for you.